"A deep low in the North Sea will slowly move away eastwards on Monday.

"Gusts into the 40s and locally 50s mph are expected around exposed coasts, and waves will be large. While such wind gusts would not be unusual in the autumn and winter, they are likely to pose greater risks in the summer holiday period, especially to those engaged in outdoor activities such as sailing or hill walking.

"Some minor disruption to transport is possible, for example delays to ferries, bridge restrictions and perhaps minor damage to trees."

Forecasters say an area of low pressure forming near Iceland will this week drag cold air in from the Arctic region.

Jonathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, said: "It is going to be pretty miserable for the week ahead with a deep low pressure spiralling to the north of the UK, it is quite an aggressive low.

"It might even seal summer's fate as there is no sign of high pressure returning to bring better weather.

"There are plenty of showers on the way, some heavy and thundery and with the cold air coming in from the north we could start seeing frosts."

Britain's autumnal theme, triggered by the arrival of Atlantic Storm Bertha last weekend, continued yesterday (Sunday) with strong winds across swathes of the country.

Netweather said there is a risk of more stormy weather over the next few days with things turning much colder by the end of the week.

Forecaster Nick Finnis said: "The weather charts have a decidedly autumnal look to them over the coming days, as low pressure moves southeast from Iceland to the North Sea by Sunday, pulling down cold Arctic winds from north across all areas into early next week.

"The cold and showery north or northwesterly flow spreads down across all areas early next week.

"As the winds ease by the middle of the week, we could see widespread ground frosts develop in northern and western areas."

WeatherOnline forecaster John Ejdowski said: "Low pressure is expected to dominate for much of the upcoming week keeping it unsettled and showery. North west winds will also prevail initially making it feel quite cool and autumnal.

"On Wednesday further showers are expected to develop across the country as we go through the day.

"A few may be heavy across Scotland and northern England before fading in the early evening."

Leon Brown, forecaster for The Weather Channel UK said: " Temperatures over the highest mountain tops in Scotland will not be far from 0C so there may even be some sleet and snow mixed in the showers above 1,000 metres.

"If winds drop out we could see local ground frosts with air temperatures dipping out to 1 or 2C in central Scotland.

"For the August Bank Holiday it currently looks like the weather will be cool but fine and dry on the Saturday and Sunday.

"There still remains a threat of rain spreading to the west during the Holiday Monday, but southern and eastern England less at risk and may stay fine and quite sunny with temperatures back up to normal.

"The rest of the week though looks more unsettled across the UK with rain spreading from the west, but temperatures back to near normal."